What Happens to My HSA When I Quit My Job?

When you quit your job, you may be wondering what will happen to your Health Savings Account (HSA). An HSA is a helpful tool that allows you to save money for medical expenses tax-free. Here's what you need to know about your HSA when leaving your job.

If you funded your HSA through payroll deductions, you own the account, and the money in it is yours to keep. You can continue to use the funds for eligible medical expenses, even after leaving your job.

However, if your employer contributed to your HSA, the funds they added may be subject to a vesting schedule. This means you may not fully own those contributions until you have been with the company for a certain period of time. If you leave before you are fully vested, you may forfeit some or all of the employer contributions.

Here are some possible scenarios for your HSA when you quit your job:

• If you funded the HSA yourself, you keep all the money in the account.
• If your employer contributed and you are fully vested, you keep all employer contributions.
• If you are not fully vested, you may lose some or all of the employer contributions.

It's essential to review your HSA plan documents to understand the specific rules that apply to your account. You have several options for your HSA when leaving your job:

• Keep the HSA and continue to use it for eligible medical expenses.
• Roll over the HSA to a new employer's plan if they offer one.
• Transfer the HSA to an individual HSA account and continue to use it.
• Withdraw the funds for non-medical expenses, but be aware of potential taxes and penalties.

Remember that HSAs offer significant tax benefits, so it's generally best to keep the funds for medical expenses. If you have any questions about your HSA when leaving your job, contact your HSA provider or financial advisor for guidance.

When you decide to quit your job, it's normal to feel uncertain about your Health Savings Account (HSA). The good news is that HSAs are individually owned accounts, meaning the money you saved through payroll deductions is all yours, and you can still use it for qualified medical expenses after leaving your job.